Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Bradenton and Manatee County on April 20
The latest of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bradenton and Manatee County.
More cases in Manatee County
Another 55 people in Manatee County were among 822 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed across the state on Sunday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Florida has now had 26,314 confirmed cases of the disease. Manatee County has
An additional 26 people have died, according to the state health department, bringing the number of confirmed deaths in Florida to 774 since the coronavirus outbreak started.
The death toll in Manatee remained at 31.
Nursing homes are COVID-19 hot spots
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have become coronavirus hot spots all over the country, with one in five deaths in Florida linked to elder-care facilities.
In Manatee County, it is much higher, with 112 cases, or almost 27 percent of the total, linked to such facilities. Only Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have more cases associated with nursing homes. Thirteen people linked with facilities in Manatee County have died.
The Florida Department of Health on Saturday released the names of eight Manatee County facilities linked with COVID-19 cases. However, the release did not detail if the patients were residents or staff or the number of cases at each facility.
Students not returning to campuses
Florida’s public schools will remain closed and stay online through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his unilateral decision at a press conference Saturday.
“We obviously weren’t going to do it on May 4,’‘ DeSantis said about reopening the schools, which were recommended by the Florida Department of Education to remain closed until May 1.
He said “differing opinions” led the state to make the call to keep schools closed. The state has changed its timeline for reopening schools several times, from initially just being out for roughly two weeks, then to April 15, then to May 1.
“Some parents were not interested in their kids going back,” DeSantis said. “We’ve got pretty good momentum for distance learning. It’s obviously not the ideal situation but given where we are in the school year, we felt that was the best decision to go forward.”
Need a job? Look here
A website projects the unemployment rate in Manatee-Sarasota could hit 28 percent, as businesses shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic shed jobs.
Local business organizations are not standing pat.
Employers can post jobs while workers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic can search for them at jobfocus.com, a service hosted by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
Also, here is a link to more information about applying for unemployment benefits in Florida.
Organizations offering help
Resources are available to help struggling Manatee County residents through the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities also exist to support local relief efforts, which are facing a sudden and overwhelming demand.
With all schools closed through May 1, area students might struggle to find their daily lunch, and parents may need child care while they continue working. Other residents are losing work hours or jobs with the restrictions placed on restaurants and bars.
Here is a list of some of the organizations offering help.
Need help paying rent or utility bills? Check out the groups listed here.
Bradenton restaurants offering take-home and delivery services
The Bradenton Herald has published a list of restaurants offering take out and/or delivery services during the coronavirus pandemic.
Also, feel free to leave the names, addresses and phone numbers of other restaurants, either as a comment on our Facebook page or on the page for the Manatee Eats group.
Tips to protect yourself from the coronavirus
There’s no vaccine for the COVID-19 virus, and experts say one may be months away from mass production.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, staying home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The agency also advises washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
The CDC does advise that people wear face masks to avoid either contracting the virus or passing it on.
The latest closings and cancellations
Numerous businesses and organizations in Bradenton have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. For a list of closings, cancellations and postponements, check out our list.
The Miami Herald contributed to this story.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 5:00 AM.